Our immune system fights bacteria and viruses. Some people’s immune systems don’t function as they should. Autoimmune disease and cancer are correlated. Besides, it can directly attack your immune system. It can occur anywhere in the body. These autoimmune diseases are more common among women.
It all depends on what type of autoimmune disease and which medications you take. For clarity, cancer is not an autoimmune disease. People with an autoimmune disorder are more likely to develop cancer.
However, chronic autoimmune diseases can invite cancer. Besides, you can consult a doctor at the Cancer Hospital in India for more clarity.
The question is: Is cancer an autoimmune disease? We will examine whether the information you have heard is accurate or a myth. In addition, we will also understand what an autoimmune disease is and how it relates to cancer.
Let’s try to understand: what is an autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune Disease refers to conditions where the body’s immune defense system, which is supposed to protect it against bacteria and viruses, is implicated in causing or perpetuating illness. It is as if the host’s defense system has been turned on itself.
Autoimmune conditions are a complex group of conditions that can be life-threatening or annoying. While effective treatments are now available, there are no cures. The research is ongoing and has made remarkable progress in recent years.
Long-held predictions have been made that we will soon be capable of analyzing a person’s DNA, assessing how their immune system functions, measuring the number and function of immune cells and chemical messengers and then putting all this information together to create a personalized, effective treatment plan that is likely to be safe.
Yes, autoimmune diseases can lead to cancer. Let’s look at the connection between cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune disease and cancer
Other autoimmune diseases can increase the risk of developing cancer. Besides, the side effects of medication can cause severe complications. Here are some more:
- A higher rate of lymphoma is also associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- A scleroderma is a group that causes chronic skin and connective tissue diseases, which increase the risk of lung cancer.
- Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune condition that causes muscle weakness and a rash. It can also increase your risk of developing various breast, ovarian, and lung cancers.
- Psoriasis, a skin condition that can lead to non-melanoma and other types of skin cancers, is more common.
Some autoimmune diseases (AID) have been linked to cancer, such as mastitis and scleroderma. However, there has been an increase in cancer risk due to many autoimmune conditions and immunosuppressive therapy.
Autoimmune diseases that are prone to cancer
Many autoimmune conditions can lead to cancer. It includes:
- Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
Autoantibodies can cause the destruction or stimulation of thyroid tissue, hypothyroidism, and thyroid tissue, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. These conditions can cause symptoms to develop quickly or slowly over time. It is common to have autoimmune thyroid disease, but it is often not diagnosed.
- Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Type 1 diabetes is a condition that occurs in childhood and young adulthood. It results when autoantibodies damage beta cells in your pancreas, responsible for insulin production. You may experience increased thirst and urination. If severe enough, you might be in a diabetic coma.
- Multiple Sclerosis
Nerves need to function correctly. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition where autoantibodies attack myelin, the fatty sheath covering nerves. Many symptoms directly affect your nervous system area. Besides, you may also experience severe conditions. These include vision problems, sensory disorders like numbness, tingling, bladder issues, and weakness.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract is known as IBD. It includes Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Although Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation of the mouth and anus, ulcerative colitis affects only the colon. You may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloody stool, weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
How does an autoimmune diseased patient experience cancer?
Genetic mutations often cause cancer. Your immunity declines, and the frequency of mutations increases as you get older. You are more likely to get cancer if you have higher mutation rates and weaker immunity.
Your immune system’s thymus gland produces T cells. Besides, T-cells have a vital role to play in your body. When you lose T cells, you may experience a weak immune system. Besides, it directly affects your thymus gland.
Your immune system will usually kill cancer cells detected in your body before they can cause a tumor. The T cells first scan your body for signs of cancer. They then locate and destroy cancer cells.
Besides, your immune system fails to detect cancer cells if it produces fewer T cells. The abnormal cells can grow uncontrollably and eventually form a tumor.
A weak immune system can ignite and boost cancerous cells, which is how you get cancer. Your condition may not improve immediately.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to fight against cancer. There are many types of immunotherapy, and each one works differently. The checkpoint inhibitors help to remove obstacles that prevent the immune system from attacking and finding cancer. Others stimulate the immune system and make it more effective against cancer.
Because it recognizes abnormal cells and destroys them, the immune system usually stops new cancers from growing. However, abnormal cells can sometimes develop into cancer when the immune system fails to destroy them. When abnormal cells start growing out of control, cancer is born.
Immunotherapy is an outpatient procedure. It means that you go to the hospital for the infusion then return home. You will get checkpoint inhibitors in repetitive cycles with rest periods between 2-6 weeks.
Even most of the top oncologists suggest immunotherapy for autoimmune and cancer conditions. It helps to improve your internal health and increases your energy level.
Conclusion:-
We all know that an autoimmune disease can lead to cancer if not treated. If you experience any symptoms, it is best to seek immediate medical advice. You should also consult a top-ranked oncologist to help you with the same.
